Canada

Canada

Vandals hit Ontario project after birds nest removal

22 January 2013
by Diane Bailey

CANADA: Vandals caused C$60,000 damage to a wind turbine under construction at Nextera Energy Canada's 124MW Summerhaven wind farm in Ontario, the scene of a protest two weeks ago over the removal of a bald eagle nest to make way for an access road.

A Bald Eagle birds nest was removed from near a turbine on the project
Graffiti was painted on the disassembled tower and blades and the turbine was also damaged by an intentionally set fire, says a news release from the Ontario Provincial Police. The vandals struck sometime between late Friday evening and early the next morning.

Police have not drawn a connection between the vandalism and the protest, which drew about two dozen people, but the events have been linked in media reports. Nextera was given permission to remove the nest by the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources, after it was determined it had not yet been used for rearing chicks.

In a letter to the community, Nextera says the nest is now being safely stored. "The Summerhaven team will be consulting with the local First Nations, governmental authorities and other stakeholders to arrive at the best relocation site for the nest," the company said.

"We understand some may be concerned about the removal of the nest and we share that concern. However, after discussions with the experts, we believe that the action taken was absolutely in the best interest of the eagles, and would significantly reduce the risk of any harm coming to them."